Years ago in Madera for the week of Sept. 24
Madera County Historical Society
The Madera High School Marching Band was one of many entries in the Old Timers Day Parade 25 years ago. The annual event drew a crowd of 7,000. The parade was followed by activities in Courthouse Park.
25 Years Ago Week of Sept. 24, 1992
IS CITY MANAGER NICK PAVLOVICH ON WAY OUT? — Will Nick Pavlovich, Madera’s city manager, be asked by the City Council to resign at Monday night’s meeting, or will he say, “enough is enough,” and tender his resignation first? It is not known whether either step will be taken, but it is known that Pavlovich’s performance as city manager will be discussed by the Council. Rumors have been abundant about Pavlovich’s departure since the release of the golf course audit. In early May, Pavlovich survived an attempt by Council Members Margaret Medellin and John Wells to remove him. Council Member Marc Scalzo, who supported Pavlovich in May, said recently, “I think Nick’s done a good job for the city, but changes need to be made.”
LIKE MAGIC, IT’S THE ALL-NEW MADERA HIGH — Madera High’s 100th anniversary was kicked off three weeks ago by the opening of the new south campus, a $17 million project, with one two-story academic building, a fully modern media center/library, and a performing arts center. “I don’t feel like I’m at a Madera High campus. It’s so much cleaner, and I have more pride in my school,” said senior Caren Berry. But while the overall view of the campus by the students is that it is a nice place, it can be difficult going back and forth between campuses by bus. Students with classes on both campuses are required to catch shuttles between the sites, either during the morning break or at lunch.
FAIR FACES 40-65 PERCENT FUNDING CUT — The Madera District Fair faces a 40-65 percent cut in revenue next year according to Secretary/Manager Thomas Musser who gave the fair board of directors the bad news from Sacramento. In discussing possible cuts, Musser said that going to a four-day fair would be one way to cut costs. Other considerations included ways to make the fair more attractive. Some sentiment was expressed for more country music and fewer billings such as the Chinese acrobats. The physical condition of the grounds also drew some criticism. One fair offering that had almost unanimous support was Sunday’s Hispanic Day.
BIG PLAYS SPARK COYOTES OVER FRESNO — Madera put together two strong halves of football along with a couple of big offensive plays by Scott Pendley and Russell Wells to score a 16-6 win against Fresno Friday night. The night’s biggest plays were a pair of passes from Wells to the quick Pendley at wide receiver. The first one, a short pass, was turned into a 77-yard touchdown by Pendley in the first quarter to give the Coyotes an early 7-0 lead. Pendley’s second score came just three plays after Fresno had tied the game in the third quarter. This time it covered 86 yards as Wells lofted a long pass down the sideline and Pendley was able to outrun the Warrior secondary for the touchdown.
ENGLEMAN, KUNZ ANNOUNCE ENGAGEMENT — Marcie Engleman and Karl Kunz are engaged to be married on Nov. 14 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fresno. The engagement was announced at the home of the future groom’s parents in La Mirada. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Ken and Joetta Engleman of Fresno. She is a May 1992 graduate of the University of Southern California. She is a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority and was a USC Song Leader for two years. The future groom is the son of Richard and Gloria Kunz, formerly of Madera. He is a 1987 graduate of Madera High School and a 1991 graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in accounting. He is employed by Arthur Anderson and Company in Irvine. He is a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and was a USC Yell Leader.
50 Years Ago Week of Sept. 24, 1967
LOCAL GUARDSMEN PREPARE FOR RACE RIOTS — As a direct result of the “long, hot summer” of racial tension and riot, local national guardsmen have been given an intensive training program in riot control. In a special class held at the Madera Airport, the guardsmen were introduced to the M-3 Disperser, a new weapon in fighting civil disorder. The disperser resembles a flamethrower, but instead of liquid gasoline, it fires a stream of crowd dispersing gas. The gas is similar to tear gas but is more effective. The one-man unit can shoot a stream of gas some 30 feet and is very efficient in controlling large groups of unruly persons.
DEER HUNTERS HAVE FAIRLY GOOD START — As of 6 p.m. Sunday, about 150 successful deer hunters had been checked at the Oakhurst Fish and Game Station. Apparently the heavy rain in the high country did not seriously impede operations. In addition to the deer, three bears and a mountain lion were also killed. Early Saturday morning, Tim Tarr, 15, of Ahwahnee shot his first forked horn almost in his backyard. The Fresno Dome area was one of the most popular hunting sectors. Many hunters said that the deer were fatter this year, probably because the heavy rainfall afforded better forage.
‘SWINGING SPEAKEASY’ SET FOR GRIFFIN HALL — “Joe sent me” is what Miss Rose Gonzales, Mrs. Frank Sagouspe, and Mrs. Paul Accornero will say to Miss Loreno Tordini on Oct. 14. This is the password guests must use to gain admittance to “Swinging Speakeasy,” the Young Ladies Institute dance to be held at Griffin Hall. The festivities will begin at 9 p.m. with cocktails and dancing to the orchestra of Richard Cruz. A buffet dinner will be served at 11 p.m. Flapper dresses and bathtub gin will help set the stage for the affair with proceeds going toward the completion of the Mother of Perpetual Help Shrine at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church.
ROBINA COCHRAN HONORED — Friday will mark the end of 46 years of service to Madera County for Assistant Librarian Mrs. Robina Cochran. In recalling the many humorous and interesting experiences she has had over the years, Mrs. Cochran spoke of the days when the Madera County Library provided books for schools and branch libraries throughout the county. “We had no car then,” she commented,” so Frank Lightner, Madera’s only taxicab driver, used to take us with our books to such places as Bailey Flats, Picayune, North Fork and other foothill committees. Many times we got stuck in the mud, and one time the car turned over,” she said.
POPO LIKES MADERA FAIR AND ITS ANNUAL PARADE — The world-traveling PoPo the clown is now in Madera after entertaining crowds in Alaska. He left Fairbanks the day the rains and floods came, displacing 2,400 persons. PoPo travels at his own expense for UNICEF, taking annual tours in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. He is back in Madera for the 17th fair and plans to welcome children at the front gates. He will give shows for the kids and take part in Saturday’s downtown parade. PoPo commented that the fair is getting better every year and the parade is one of the best in California.
